For most of the 2011 season, the Patriots’ secondary could best be categorized as patchwork.

Given a chance to start as an NFL safety, though, players like James Ihedigbo were given a chance to shine. Yesterday, the Patriots rewarded Ihedigbo with a contract. Terms of the deal for the former UMass and Amherst High School standout were not disclosed.

The Patriots signed Ihedigbo as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 19 of last year after he had spent four seasons with the New York Jets, mostly contributing on special teams.

By the end of the season – actually, by the end of training camp – the safety position underwent a wholesale change for New England. James Sanders was cut in late August, with Brandon Meriweather’s release coming a week later.

Those moves, in addition to an injury to Patrick Chung on Nov. 6 against the Giants, opened the door for the 28-year-old Ihedigbo. He started 12 of the 16 regular season games, finishing with 72 tackles, one pass defended and four special teams tackles. Those defensive starts were the first of his career.

Ihedigbo also started all three postseason games, amassing 20 tackles and a sack.

A native of Northampton, Ihedigbo played for Amherst High from 1998 through 2001 under Tom Cullen, who is now the head coach at Milford High. He was a two-time All-Western Mass. selection in that time.

By locking up Ihedigbo for the coming season, the Patriots have plenty of bodies at the safety position. In addition to draft picks Tavon Wilson and Nate Ebner, Ihedigbo will also compete for playing time with Chung, Steve Gregory, Will Allen, Josh Barrett, Sergio Brown and Ross Ventrone.

And one can’t forget about Devin McCourty, who played some safety in his second season after struggling in man-to-man coverage at cornerback.

(Tim Whelan Jr. can be reached at 508-626-4402 or twhelan@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @thattimwhelan.)